Former North Florida and Pace High player Trent Higginbothem makes contact during the 2015 Cox Diamond Invitational at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The event is offering youth baseball team members free admission to the collegiate baseball tournament if joined by two coaches and in uniform.(Photo: , Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com)Buy Photo

In effort to boost crowds and get kids involved, Pensacola Sports has a discounted option for youth baseball teams wishing to attend a game at this weekend's annual Cox Diamond Invitational.

Two adult coaches each paying the $11 day pass can bring their entire team for free to watch the collegiate baseball tournament at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

"The kids must be in their team uniform and if parents join, they have to pay for a ticket, but essentially for $22, a youth team can see the game," said Jason Libbert, event director for Pensacola Sports, which has managed the event with Cox Communications as sponsor since inception in 2011.

Libbert said notification was sent to all youth baseball leagues in the area. It is also part of the tournament web site.

The event begins Friday at 2 p.m. with Ohio State (5-3), making its first appearance in Pensacola, facing Nicholls State (1-6). Southern Mississippi (6-2) will play Eastern Michigan (1-7) in the second game Friday at 6 p.m.

There are two games Saturday and Sunday. The games on Saturday will be aired on Cox Sports Television.

Libbert said the tournament has been scheduled out through 2020 with teams inquiring about playing at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

"Word is getting out about the event and that is helping us," he said. "From a schedule standpoint, these teams want to fill up their schedule in the first few weeks and the northern teams, especially, are looking for places to play and get away from the cold."